NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026: How to Apply for Up to ₦5 Million Funding

Young Nigerian entrepreneurs now have a new opportunity to access business training, mentorship and up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding through the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), has partnered with Cascador to launch the new programme aimed at helping young Nigerian founders build investment-ready businesses and gain access to capital.

The programme is designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurship training and access to funding, particularly for young founders who may not yet have the formal business structures, financial history or investor networks traditionally required to secure capital.

What Is the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme?

The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme is a new youth entrepreneurship initiative created through a partnership between the Nigerian Youth Academy under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Cascador.

The initiative is focused on helping young Nigerian entrepreneurs move from business ideas and early-stage ventures towards stronger, more structured and investment-ready businesses.

According to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the pilot programme will begin with 20 early-stage Nigerian youth founders.

Participants will receive structured training, mentorship and support designed to improve their business knowledge, investment readiness and ability to present their businesses to potential investors and funding partners.

How Much Funding Is Available?

One of the biggest attractions of the programme is the opportunity for selected participants to receive funding.

At the end of the programme, the eight top-performing founders will each receive up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador.

Non-dilutive funding means the funding does not require the recipient to give up ownership or equity in the business in exchange for the support.

However, applicants should understand that the ₦5 million is not guaranteed to every participant. The funding will be awarded to the top-performing founders after the programme and selection process.

What Will Participants Receive?

Selected participants will go through an intensive programme designed to strengthen their businesses and prepare them for investment opportunities.

• Business fundamentals training
• Investment readiness training
• Pitch preparation
• One-on-one mentorship
• Business growth and management support
• Opportunity to compete for up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) support for selected beneficiaries

The ERP solution is intended to help beneficiaries structure, manage and scale their businesses more effectively.

Who Is the NiYA × Cascador Programme For?

The programme is aimed at young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders who are building businesses and want to improve their business structure, investment readiness and access to capital.

The pilot is particularly relevant to founders who may not yet have established financial records, formal business structures or strong investor networks.

However, applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements when the application portal opens, as the complete application criteria and guidelines should be followed directly from the official platform.

When Will NiYA × Cascador Applications Open?

Applications for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme are scheduled to open on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Interested young entrepreneurs are advised to monitor the official Nigerian Youth Academy platform and official Federal Ministry of Youth Development channels for the application form, eligibility requirements and submission instructions.

How to Apply for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme

Once applications officially open, prospective applicants should follow the official application instructions provided by the Nigerian Youth Academy.

1. Visit the official Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) platform.
2. Look for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme application.
3. Read the eligibility requirements and application guidelines carefully.
4. Prepare the required personal and business information.
5. Complete the application form accurately.
6. Review your information before submitting the application.
7. Submit the application through the official platform.

Applicants should keep checking the official platform for the application link and any additional instructions once registration opens.

How the Programme Will Work

The pilot programme will run for approximately four weeks and will focus on preparing participating founders for business growth and investment.

Participants will receive training in business fundamentals, investment readiness and pitch preparation, alongside virtual engagements and one-on-one mentorship.

At the end of the programme, participants will have the opportunity to present their businesses during a Pitch Day organised by NiYA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

The strongest-performing founders will then be considered for the non-dilutive funding provided by Cascador.

Why This Programme Is Important for Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs

Access to finance remains one of the major challenges facing many young entrepreneurs. Having a good business idea is often not enough when a founder lacks the financial records, business systems, mentorship or investor connections needed to attract funding.

The NiYA × Cascador partnership is designed to address some of these challenges by combining entrepreneurship training, investment readiness, mentorship and access to capital.

The initiative therefore provides an opportunity for young founders to improve their businesses while also preparing for potential investment and funding opportunities.

Is the ₦5 Million Funding Guaranteed?

No. The ₦5 million funding is not guaranteed to every person who applies or participates in the programme.

The pilot will involve 20 early-stage founders, while the eight top-performing founders will receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador.

This means applicants should focus not only on submitting an application but also on building a strong business, demonstrating potential and taking the training and mentorship seriously if selected.

Important Information for Applicants

• Applications are scheduled to open on 19 August 2026.
• The programme is targeted at young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders.
• The pilot cohort will consist of 20 founders.
• The programme will run for approximately four weeks.
• Participants will receive business and investment-readiness training.
• Mentorship and pitch preparation are part of the programme.
• Only the eight top-performing founders will receive up to ₦5 million each.
• The funding is non-dilutive.
• Selected beneficiaries will also receive an ERP solution to support business management and growth.
• Applicants should rely on official NiYA and Federal Ministry of Youth Development information.

Final Thoughts

The NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme 2026 could provide a valuable opportunity for young Nigerian entrepreneurs who are looking to strengthen their businesses, become investment-ready and compete for access to non-dilutive funding.

With a pilot cohort of 20 founders, four weeks of structured training and mentorship, and the opportunity for eight top-performing founders to receive up to ₦5 million each, the programme offers more than just financial support.

If you are a young Nigerian entrepreneur with a promising business, make sure you prepare ahead of the application opening date and monitor the official Nigerian Youth Academy platform for the application form and full eligibility requirements.

For official updates, always verify information through the Nigerian Youth Academy and Federal Ministry of Youth Development.